Starting Lineup Evaluations: Tipton vs. West Lafayette
West Lafayette and Tipton both won their divisions in the regular season and earned a berth into the Hoosier Conference Championship game at West Lafayette. Coming into the game, West Lafayette was 16-4 and Tipton was 14-4 and a combined 7-1 in conference play. You had two contrasting styles of play with West Lafayette looking to open up the floor for shooters and use their athleticism and Tipton looked to slow it down and take good shots on every trip.
Both teams struggled from the floor but West Lafayette played better throughout the game. At the half, West Lafayette held a 21-14 lead and never really let Tipton get back into it. Tipton was overmatched athletically and they shot the ball very poorly never really giving themselves a chance in this one. West Lafayette took the easy win, 55-40
Tipton
Starters
Alec Weddell | 6’ PG | 2018
Weddell was consistently getting to the basket early on but could ever really build that into a rhythm. He struggled with the pressure of West Lafayette and wasn’t really getting anything to go his way. He’s a thin lead guard who doesn’t really have the ability to score but also doesn’t really have the ability to break a man down.
Grant Shively | 6’1 SG | 2018
Shively is a strong guard who was tasked most of the night guarding Purdue DE commit George Karlaftis and was really holding his own. He struggled to get into it on the offensive end but we know that he can score a little bit. He’s a solid rebounder from the guard position and has good vision with the ball in his hands.
Lukas Swan | 6’ SG | 2018
Swan was really underwhelming in this one as he played scared. He kept passing up shots and when he did he short released them so they didn’t really have a chance of going in. He could use a little bit more muscle on him for the college game. Swan is a guy who will play in college but could need a bit of molding.
Trent Seward | 6’6 PF | 2018
This is Seward’s first year playing basketball in a few years and he is still kind of getting into the groove of things. He is a solid rebounder being the teams’ tallest player but needs to add weight to be effective with the ball. He isn’t very effective on the offensive end as Tipton would like but he is versatile helping them a ton on defense.
Carson Dolezal | 6’1 SG | 2019
Dolezal is a quick shooting guard who plays erratic but is pretty in control of his game. He is fast paced and does everything at 100%. Reminds me of Indian Creek’s Jared DeHart with how he plays the game. He isn’t up to the level of DeHart but plays the same way. He has a pretty good-looking shot as well. He likes to drive the ball and will either go all the way or pull-up.
Best Bench Player
Luke Stoker | 6’ SG | 2019
Stoker is a kid who is really strong and can hold his own against taller guys on the defensive end. He isn’t great on the offensive end but really isn’t a liability either. Can’t handle the ball well against pressure but continually was in the right position in this one. A guy who can come off the bench and provide spurt minutes
West Lafayette
Starters
Nelson Mbongo | 6’5 SF | 2019
Mbongo continues to impress me with his athleticism. He’s a good player, but is still a bit raw. He has a deadly spin move once he gets into the lane. He is a bit stagnant at times and can’t really shoot the ball outside of ten feet but his athleticism and length will help a lot of non-D1 programs.
Luke Touloukian |6’2 SG | 2018
Touloukian is a guy who isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. He is a threat from deep, although in this one he didn’t get many clean looks. He’s a tall thin guard who is able to play either guard spot in a pinch. He’s a guy who could both run the offense but also get with it on defense. Really solid two guard.
Luke Staton | 6’3 SF |2018
Staton is a thick bodied wing who can get to the rim and finish but he also is a guy who’s going to provide some really good defense as well. He’s a solid rebounder with a nose for the ball and can really elevate for the rebound. Not much of a jump shooter but he can score the ball if he gets to the rim.
Matt Krause | 6’5 F | 2018
Krause is a really solid D3/NAIA guy and he runs the floor best than anyone I can remember. He gets down the floor after every made basket by either team. He’s a guy who can play both forward spots and be very successful at either of them. A shooter who when on, can be deadly. He has the ability to post up as well and is very adept as a rebounder. Krause’s vision with the ball is very solid as well.
Tyler Boyle | 6’1 PG | 2020
Boyle is a small lead guard who is a good handler of the ball. Doesn’t look to score much, but doesn’t have to do so with the players around him. He is good at running the offence and while he won’t score much, he isn’t going to make many mistakes. A small school sophomore prospect.
Best Bench Player
Gabe Klinker | 6’1 PG | 2019
Klinker is a guy who looks to score more than run the offense. Klinker can do everything pretty well and is relied on as the main guard off the bench. He is able to penetrate and kick it but sometimes runs himself into a bad situation and turns it over. Doesn’t need to do much this year but next year he will probably slot in as the second starting guard. A D3 prospect who could end up with a few offers.